Council launches Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard

Published on 01 December 2020

emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au

Byron Shire residents and businesses are being asked to check out the new Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard, a website that will be a valuable source of information and help during emergencies such as floods or bushfires.

The Emergency Dashboard is designed to host information from Council as well as directly link to other agencies including the State Emergency Service (SES), Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Rather than search the website, internet or apps for the SES, BOM or RFS, Byron Shire residents are asked to bookmark the Emergency Dashboard on their phones or computers.

When an emergency, such as a flood or fire, arises, they can go straight to the dashboard for information and direct links to websites or social media feeds. 

One of the features of the Emergency Dashboard is predictive modelling for flood scenarios based on rainfall in the catchment.

“Since the 2017 floods Council has mapped the floor levels of every property in flood-prone areas and we have also upgraded our rain and flood gauges across the Shire,” James Flockton, Infrastructure Planning Coordinator, said.

“Behind the Emergency Dashboard that the community sees, is sophisticated flood modelling technology that will link directly to the SES allowing it to more accurately predict when and where properties will be inundated with water and in turn tell people to evacuate if necessary,” Mr Flockton said.

“We have learnt from the 2017 floods and this technology allows early warnings for residents and businesses to prepare for floods and evacuation,” he said.

The SES and BOM have worked with Council on the development of the early warning system.

Included in the information on the Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard is a link to the Council’s new Climate Wise website which provides information to the community about how to prepare for an emergency such as flood, fire or severe storms, what they should think about and what plans they should have in place.

Residents and businesses are asked to think about where they might be able to stay if they need to evacuate, and what arrangements they might need to make for pets such as cats and dogs.

The development of the Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard was made possible via a $250,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities fund.

With predictions of a wet summer and the bush fire and storm seasons both in full swing, residents are asked to familiarise themselves with the Byron Shire Emergency dashboard.

The Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard is at emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au.

Public information and demonstration sessions are being held across the Shire. People are asked to bring a phone, tablet or laptop with them.

South Golden Beach

 2 December 2020

South Golden Beach Hall

4pm – 5:30pm

Billinudgel

 3 December 2020

Billinudgel Hotel

4pm – 6pm 

Byron Bay

 7 December 2020

Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club

4pm – 6pm

Brunswick Heads

 8 December 2020

Brunswick Heads Community Centre

4pm – 6pm

Mullumbimby 

9 December 2020

Byron Shire Council Chambers

4pm – 6pm

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.